Being Prepared

Keiss Castle, Wick, Scotland.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 (NASB)

Preparation is necessary in all aspects of our life, work or household, pleasure or in health. Thus it is no surprise that in spiritual matters preparation is also required. Prayer and Bible study are essential to our daily survival in the world we live in. Our walk with God is not only a short term strategy, but also a long term preparation for our future with God either through the Rapture or in death (Colossians 3:4).

In our verse today the preparation is metaphorical of action; girding up relating to securing any loose clothing in such a way to make movement unhindered (Ephesians 6:14). But how do you gird up your mind? I would suggest that as Christians we need to use our mind efficiently, and not clutter it with pointless stuff. This brings us neatly to the command to “keep sober in spirit.” Being sober minded is a life saving strategy in our wicked world with many traps for the unwary ( 1 Peter 5:8). The practice of spiritual sobriety has three elements; Abstinence, Alertness and, Calmness.

Abstinence takes us back to the question of what we feed our mind with, what kind of media we consume and how much we consume? If we feed our mind junk or worse wickedness that is exactly what we produce in turn. We need to be alert to temptations and traps that Satan lays before us in life, that we can turn away from them. Calmness relates to a serenity of spirit, confidence in the provision of protection by God. These three cords entwine making our spiritual sobriety in Almighty God secure each day.

Dear reader, in confidence of your preparations “fix your hope completely” on your future hope; looking for and expecting your reward in Jesus Christ someday. By the Grace of Almighty God if you know and love His Son, you will see Him face to face at the end of days. Be sure to be prepared for it!